Making and installing revetment mats



- E. M. MARKHAM MAKING AND INSTALLING REVE'IMENT MATS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec 50. 1916 E. M. MARKHAM MAKING AND INSTALLINGREVETMENT MATS Filed Dec. 30. 19 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. M. MARKHAM MAKING AND INSTALLING REVETMENT MATS Filed Dec. 30, 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. M. MARKHAM MAKING AND INSTALLING REVETMENT MATS Filed Dec. 30. 1916 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

arse srarss EDWARD M. MARKHAM, OF WEST I'OI NT, NEW YORK.

MAKING AND'INSTALLING REVETMENT MATS.

Application filed December 30, 1916.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. MARKHAM, of West Point, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Making and Installing Revetment Mats; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to the art of constructing and depositing slabs or revetment sheets or mattresses to be used subaqueously for protecting the shores or base of running streams or any body of water against scour or erosion. It is a well recognized fact that the best protection against scour or erosion is a concrete mat, but the use of such mats where they are deposited in their entirety beneath the surface of the water has been attended with difliculty in launching them due to the fact that the mats are liable to pile up and crumple thus defeating the very purpose for which they are created, namely, revetting the bank or bed of the river or other body. 'This is especially true where operations are carried on on a major scale and mats containing many hundred square feet and weighing thousands of pounds are employed.

It is the object of my invention to provide animproved method of making and installing revetment mats and an improved and highly efficient mechanism for laying such mats, new and improved means being em ployed for controlling the mat after the barge upon which it has been constructed has been removed from beneath it, the controlling step insuring a uniform sinking of the mat. thus minimizing its distortion and preventing its lateral shift out of the proper line of direction.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a mooring barge and the mat barge with one of the supporting trusses, the figure indicating the position of the parts in the first step namely, with the mat formed upon the movable barge. Figures 2 and 3 are views similar to Figure 1 with the mat barge fully withdrawn and the mat held in suspended position, in Figure 2 about at the water line and in Figure 3 partially lowered. Figures 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views of a portion of the mat barge platform. Fig- Serial No. 139,940.

ure 6 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the mat barge platform showing one of the launching boards and a supportingrolh er. Figure 7 is a top plan view of a mat with guiding lines in position. Figure 8 is a view in perspective showing three trusses with their ends resting upon a portion of the mat barge.

'In carrying out my invention I preferably employ a mooring barge 1 and a mat barge 2 upon which latter the mat is formed. The barge 2 has a slanting surface to facilitate its separation from the mat by sliding out beneath it. The mat formed, of reinforced concrete is generally indicated at 3. It will be readily understood that the mat or slab is to be constructed uponthe barge 2 and is to be installed upon the bed or bank of a river or other body of water to provide at protecting surface for the bank or bed or it may be used to protect any structure located within the water. By my improved method I provide for maintaining control of the mat during and after removal of the mat barge.

I employ a series of trusses at, oneonlyof which is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, while several are indicated in Figure 8. These trusses'may be hinged to the mooring barge l and suitably supported as by lines 5 extending over an upright .6 and secured to the barge 1. Also secured to the barge 1 and extending vertically downward to the bed of the stream are spuds 7, although such spuds may be dispensed with if so desired. The trusses have wheels 8 to provide end bearings and to facilitate their movement over the mat barge'as the latter recedes. On a shaft 9 extending through one of the truss frames is a series of winding drumslO on which are wound'chains or cables 12 suitably secured to the mat as at 13. These cables are preferably secured to the mat by any appropriate form of trigger or trip mechanism under the control of lines 14 by which they may be released.

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The mat barge 2 may be moved in or out relative to the mooring barge by lines- 15 passing through the end trusses over sheaves 17, and lines 16, the said lines 15 and 16 leading to power established on the mooring barge. The tension of these lines effects and controls desired movement of the mat barge, the lines 16 to maintain the mat barge in juxtaposition to the mooring barge and the lines 15 passing over the sheaves 17 on the trusses to draw the mat barge away from the mooring barge and from beneath the greater portion of each truss.

Independently of supporting the weight of the mat it is of primary importance th means be provided to prevent movement the mat With the mat barge, racing 051' t latter, or shifting laterally while the barge is being moved from under it after the barge is completely removed. provide against horizontal movement of the mat by lines 18 shown in the term of chains and as anchored to the barge 1, or by l 18, also shown as chains, attached to trolleys 18 movable on spuds h ese trolleys are arranged to hug the spuds 7 which foil. guiding members for the trolley descent. Manifestly if the mat to guided by the trolleys the lines 18 are .i used. On the other hand the trolley are used if the mat is to be disconnectet. at die water level, the lines 18 being employed to prevent horizontal movement while the barge 2 is being Withdrawn. A line or chain 19 connecting the mat to t superposed structures will prevent the sa racing oil the barge durin vi. the latter. Lines 20 and 2i attached to posite sides of the mat may be secured suitable anchorages to the end that the nyt shall be restrained from undesired movemen All while in suspension. or while he or after being tripped from support. 7

If it be desired to lower the mat who to position its control may also by lines 22, 23 attached to the i opposite sides and passing over sheaves 25, 26, 27 to drums 28 on the barge l. il hese drums are shown under control of a m nor shown diagrammaticall; at c I by lines 30, 31, to a hanger 32 llllI'Ol' passes the chain or cable 12. Lateral I ment of this cable, such would resu, a shift of the mat, will sw ng the hanger and, through the links, will actuate the a governor to turn the dru n and thus re over or let out lines 22 or 23, of maintaining the vertieality or" norting line 12.

It will be understood that the drni with the res It.

the s= of the mat 3 is accomplished by t of 22 simultaneously with the hauling line 23 and vice versa.

I also endeavor to minimize the friction occasioned by the mat sliding oil the 2. For this purpose I may construct the platform or the barge 2 in sections 35, 36,

by ways 87 to receive rollers Figure 6. These sections may be separated Before forming the mat launching boards 39 may be placed upon the rollers. By means 01? liners, lifting jacks or other means the sections may be brought into position flush with the launching boards so that the mat may be built upon a uniform surface. After its formation the platform sections may be.

the (hiich are 'idicate in Figure 8. Thus the weight of the distributed over the launching boards turn upon the rollers Aineans of attaining the purpose of the constr ction p eeseribed is illustrated in es st, 5 and supporting the platform sectiona are formed with recesses l-l are movable indepenot the plat rm sec ions over the By means or" a wedge l3 these timbers 40 may be moved until their recesses are in alignment with the rollers when the platform sections will drop a distance corresponding tothe depth 01 the recesses and thus be removed from contact with the mat.

and in ent that the mat barge and the mooring Large are in yuxtaposition at the first.

01 the method of rcpaii'in and laying rcvetment mats, being held in this position ltthe lines 16, with the outer ends oi": the trusses el the highest point of the inclined surface of the mat barge. The concre e mat is then formed on this mat barge within the limits of the lower end of the ba ge platform and the point of enge n oi the rollers '8 with the tin hers wnich the ways in the formation oi the mat the cables 12 are secured to the reinforcing elements of th. mat by a trigger mechanism shown at 13 and in sncl'i manner as to be tripped by the pulling action of Ll. Afterthe con c has sufficiently set he lines l 5 are tz ten in through suitable power on the mooring barge, the lines 16 UeYng slaclt. This ell'ec's the withdrawal of the mat barge. As the letter 15; withdrawn th trusses a TV hen the in beneath the mat is held suspended by the throu h the chains or cables 12. barge is fully withdrawn mat the ends of the t. will still he sunnorted on the heroic. ve mar new be lowered while still in suspended state and after it has reached a prcdctcn'iined depth the lines l-l may be manipulated to release the connecti: between the lines 12 and the mat. Control of the mat during the lower-i operation is aided by the chains 8 connecting the mat. with the trolleys on the spuds 7. It is understood that the mat may be disconnected from the supporting trusses at the water level or at any other point and allowed to drop to position unmat is 1 There the timbers lO,

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bodily removing the base from beneath the mat, supporting the mat from above while the base is being removed and subsequently lowering the mat to position.

2. The herein. described method of making and installing revetment mats consisting in forming the mat on a movable float, bodily removing the float from beneath the mat,

supporting the mat above the proposed point of installation while the float is being removed and after it is separated from the mat, and subsequently lowering the mat "to position.

3. The herein described method of making and installing revetment mats consisting in forming the mat on a movable float, bodily removing the float from beneath the mat, supporting the mat above the proposed point of installation while the float is being removed and after it is separated from the mat, and releasing the mat from the supporting means.

l. An apparatus for making and installing revetment mats including a mat barge having a plurality of sections and launching boards intermediate the sections, means for maintaining said sections flush with said launching boards while the mat is being formed, such means being adapted for actuation to move the sections out of contact with the mat to place the weight of the mat on the launching boards.

5. Mechanism for making and installing revetment mats comprising a mat barge, superposed trusses, a mat formed on said barge, supporting mleans suspended from said trusses and connected to said mat, means for tripping said supportin means, and means for withdrawing said barge from beneath said mat.

6. Mechanism for making and installing revetment mats comprising a mat barge, superposed trusses, rollers on said trusses and movable on said barge, a mat formed on said barge, supporting means suspended from said trusses and connected to said mat for temporarily supporting the mat, and means for withdrawing said barge from beneath said mat.

7. Mechanism for making and installing revetment mats comprising a mat barge, a

mat f0 mod on said barge, means for remov ing said barge from beneath said mat after its completion, means for supporting said mat after said barge is removed, means for tripping said last mentioned means, and means for preventing the lateral shift of said mat during its descent.

i 8. Mechanism for making and installing revetirent mats comprising a mat barge, a mat formed on said barge, means for removing said barge from beneath said mat after porting said mat after said barge is removed and during its lowering movement, and means for preventing the lateral shift of said mat while being lowered.

9. Mechanism for making and installingrevetment mats comprising a mat barge, a mat formed on said barge, means for removing said barge from beneath said mat after its completion, means for temporarily supporting said mat after said barge is removed and during its lowering movement, and means for guiding said mat while being lowered, including downwardly extending relatively fixed members, trolleys movable along said members, and detachable chains connecting said mat and said trolleys.

10. An apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat, comprising abarge adapted to support a concrete mat, a hoisting barge adja'cent thereto, crane members extending from the hoisting barge over the mat, means for supporting the mat from the crane members and for withdrawing the barge from beneath the mat, means for lowering the mat, and separate means for simultaneously releasing it at all points.

11. An apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat and means for placing it, comprising means for freely suspending the unit mat, said means comprising a supporting frame work, a plurality of separate sup porting members arranged in parallel be tween the mat and the frame work, means for adjusting them to support the mat in its entirety above its position of rest, and means for simultaneously disconnecting all such members to cause the mat to drop freely as a unit toward its ultimate position.

12. An apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat comprising a bed upon which the mat lies, a frame work above the mat, a plurality of separate supporting members arranged in parallel between the rame work and the mat, means for exerting a tension upon said members and adjusting them to support the mat in its entirety above its position of rest when the bed is withdrawn, means for withdrawing the bed and leaving the mat suspended by thesupporting members, and means for simultaneously disconnecting all such members to cause the mat todrop freely toward its ultimate position.

13. An apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat comprising a bed upon which the mat lies, a frame work above the mat, a phirality of separate supporting members arranged in parallel between the frame work and the mat, means for exerting a tension its completion, means for temporarily supfit) upon said members and adjusting them to support the mat in its entirety above its position of rest when the bed is withdrawn, means for vithdrawing the bed and leaving the mat suspended by the supporting mom hers, and means for sin'iultaneously controlling said supporting members to lower the mat as a unit toward its ultimate position.

14. An apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mateor n 'sing a bed upon which th mat lies, a itrame work above the mat, phirality ot separate supporting member arranged in parallel between the trame work and the mat, means for exerting tension upon said members and ad usting them to support the mat in its ent above ts position of rest when the bed is withdrawn, means for withdrawing the bed and leaving the mat suspended by the supportin menu hers, means for sin'iultaneously controlling said supportinamembers to lower the met as a unit toward its ultimate position, and means for simultaneously disconnecting all such supporting members to cause the mat to drop freely as a unit toware its ultimate position.

15. The method of placing rigid revetment mats which consists in first supporting the mat from below, then arranging for its suspension as a unit from above, then withdrawing the lower support, 1 en lowering the met as a unit toward its p4 ition out rest, then releasingall parts of the mat sinmltaneouslv and permitting it to drop asan uncontrolled unit toward its position of rest.

In an apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat, a movable support adapted to support a mat from below, an additional support. base, supports mountet, thereon adapted to support the mat from, above, and means for laterally moving the lower support from beneath the mat.

17. In an apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat, a movable support adapted to support a mat from below, an additional support base, supports mounted thereon adapted to support the mat from above, and means tor laterally moving the lower support from beneath the mat, the upper supports being prov ded with wheels and the lower support with tracks to support them.

18. In an apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat, a movable support adapted to support a mat from below, an additional support base, supper mounted thereon adapted to support the matfrom above, and means for late ally moving the lower support from beneath the mat, the outer ends of the upper supports being provided with wheels and the lower support with true s to support them.

19. Means "for emplacing concrete mat revetments comprising a movable supporting structure, means mounted thereon for sus pending a uni mat freely therefrom com-- prising a pluralit of crane arms projecting outwardly from such structure, a plurality ot hoisting tackles downwardly depending base adapted to support the met from below,

anl means for laterally moving the lower t from beneath the mat.

cans tr emplacing Concrete mat revctments comprising a movable supporting rructure, means n'iounted thereon for suspending a unit mat- "l'reelv therefrom comprising iilurality of crane arms )rojecting outwardly from such structure, a plurality of hoisting tackles downwardly depending from such crane arms, each of said tackles being attached to the mat, means for simultaneously manipulating said tackles to pay them out, an additional movable support b: :e adapted to support the mat from below, and means for l rally moving the lower support from beneath the mat, said crane arms being provided with wheels, and the lower support with tracks to support them,

21. in an apparatus for laying a rigid revetment mat, the combination of a movable support adaptedto support the mat trom below, an upper supportbase, sup ports thereon for supporting the mat from above, means for laterally moving the lower support from beneath the mat, wheels on the upper support, tracks on the lower support for supporting said wheels, rollers between said tracks, and strips adapted to travel on said rollers. I

An apparatus for laying protective coverings, com rising a removable support on which the covering is supported, and means for holding the covering while the support is removed and applying the covering to the surface to be protected. 7

23. An apparatus for laying revetment mats, comprising a movable float for supporting the mat from below, a movable barge lying near the said float, hoisting mechanism on said barge, the said mechanism overhanging the said float whereby the mat may be suspended and lowered to its position of rest when the and float is re- .noved.

2%. An apparatus for laying reretment mats, comprising a movable float -for supporting the mat from below, a barge lying near the said float, hoisting mechanism on said barge overhanging the said float, and means for releasing the said mat from said mechanism. 7

25. The method of laying revetment mats which consists in supporting the mat from below on a movable support, then separatlot) ing the said support and mat, leaving the mat suspended as a unit from above and in position to be lowered on the surface to be protected, then lowering said mat on said surface.

26. The method of laying revetment mats which consists in forming and supporting the mat on a movable float, then separating the said float and mat, leaving the mat suspended as a unit from above and in position to be lowered on the surface to be protected, then lowering said mat on said surface.

27. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a support for the slab and hoisting mechanism adapted for horizontal movement relative to each other, the said hoisting mechanism being constructed and arranged to suspend the slab while the slab and its support are relatively moved to free the slab from its support, and also to lower said slab and deposit it on the surface to be protected.

28. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a support for the slab and hoisting mechanism adapted for horizontal move ment relative to each other, the said hoisting mechanism being constructed and arranged to suspend the slab while the slab and its support are relatively moved to free the slab from its support, said hoisting mechanism being constructed and arranged to lower the slab at an angle to the horizontal and to deposit the slab on the surface to be protected.

29. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a support for the slab and hoisting mechanism adapted for horizontal move ment relative to each other, the said hoisting mechanism being constructed and arranged to suspend the slab while the slab and its support are relatively moved to free the slab from its support, the said hoisting mechanism being constructed and arranged to lower one end of the slab at greater speed than the other and cause it to descend at an angle to the horizontal and to deposit the same on the surface to be protected.

30. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected. the combination of a support for the slab and hoisting mechanism adapted for h rizontal mo ement relative to each other. the said mechanism bein cons r cted and arran ed to suspend the slab while the sl b and its sup ort are relativelv mo ed to free the slab from its support and to lower theslab. and means for supporting one end f the slab on practicallv a fired point while the other end is lowered and the slab comes to its position of rest.

31. In apparatus for laving protective slabs on the surface to be protected. the combination of a support for the slab and hoisting mechanism adapted for horizontal movement relative to each other, the said hoisting mechanism being constructed and arranged to suspend the slab while the slab and its support are relatively moved to free the slab from its support,the said hoisting mechanism comprising a series of gangs of tackle, and means for operating the said gangs together or independently of each other.

32. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a support for the slab and hoistmechanism adapted for horizontal move- "nent re itive to each other, the said hoisting mechanism being constructed and arranged to suspend. the slab while the slab and its support are relatively moved to free the slab from its support, the said hoisting mechanism comprising a series of gangs of tackle, and means for operating the said gangs at the same speed or variable speeds.

83. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a suitable float having a superstructure provided with hoisting mechanism. a movable support for the slab constructed and arranged to be brought adjacent to the float and moved away from the same, the

sa d superstructure overhanging one edge of the float and the hoisting mechanism serving to suspend one end of the slab from th overhanging superstructure.

34. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a movable support and a slab having a cradle incorporated therein, and having suspend'ng devices, hoisting mechanism which may be detachably connected with said suspending devices for suspending the slab while its support is removed from beneath it, and then lowering the slab into its position of rest.

35. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a movable support for a slab, a cradle consisting of a sheet of open work metal incorporated in the slab. suspend ng devices connected with said cradle and passing through said slab to the upper surface thereof. and hoisting mechanism which may be detachably connected with said suspending devices and serving to suspend the slab when its support is to be withdrawn from beneath it. and to lower the slab onto the surface below.

36. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a removable slab support, a suitable float provided with hoisting mechan sm for engaging the slab to suspend the slab while its support is withdrawn from beneath it and to lower the slab beneath the surface of the water. and pull cords for releasing the hoisting mechansm from the slab when the same has been deposited,

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37. An apparatus for applyine protective coverings, comprising a support for the covering, and means permitting the separation of the covering and said support by relatve vertical movement and depositing said covering on the surface to be protected.

38. A apparatus for applying protective coverings, comprising a support for the covering, and means constructed and arranged for separat ng the covering tr m said support by lifting the covering from the supportto permit 4? the relative horizontal movement of sa neans and support to place the support from beneath the covering and depositing the covering on the surface to be protected.

39. An apparatus for applying protective coverings, comprising a support for the covering, and means providing for the bodily separation of said covering as a un' said support and transferr ng the covering to the surface to be protected.

40. En apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a mo able slab-support, a float provided with slab-hoisting mechanism adapted to temporarily suspend the slab whileits support is withdrawn and also to lower the slab beneath the water.

41. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the surface to be protected, the combination of a, slab-support, slab hoistingmechanism adapted to temporarily suspend the slab, said slab-support and hoistingmechanism being adapted for horizontal movement relative to each other to get the slab clear of its support, the said hoistingmechanism being capable of moving with d lierent speeds at dilierent points thereof to lower the slab with an angular motion into its position of rest.

42. In apparatus for laying protective slabs on the subaqueous surface to be protected, the combination of a slab provided upon its upper surface with multiple attaching po nts, slab hoisting-mechanism having multiple attaching members adapted. to be releasably attached to said attaching-- )OllliS of the slab and to lower the slab onto a subaqueous surface and permit it to remain there during a desired test period of time. and to rase the slab subsequently.

L3. The method of laying revetment mat-s which consists in first su porting the mat from below, then suspen ing it as a unit from above, then withdrawing the lower its pos'tion of rest.

44;. The method of laying revetment mats which consists in first supporting the mat from below, then suspending it as a unit from above, then moving one in relation to the other in a horzontal direction to permit lowering the mat clear of the lower support. then lowering the mat as a unit to its position of rest.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

EDWARD M. MARKHAM. 

